The Politics of Curriculum Reform

Abstract

Legislative politics are legislative politics-whether in that premier legislative arena, the U.S. Congress, in state or local legislative bodies, or in a university. Thus, empirical research on politics is relevant to the university situation, and professional training as a political scientist is useful in developing strategies to bring about institutional change. These conclusions are based on my experience as a participant in a two and one-half year process at American University which reshaped undergraduate distribution requirements. Applying political science analysis to the experience illuminates the parallels between policymaking in diverse institutions, and confirms assumptions of our discipline: that political processes determine outcomes, and that the political science perspective assists understanding. And, a report on the process of curricular change may be helpful to those who are engaged in a similar endeavor on other campuses.'